San Clemente.
Spanish Village by the Sea, with world-class surf.
Source: CRMLS MLS data via InfoSparks, residential sales, rolling 12 months through October 2026; year over year compares to the prior 12 months. Figures change monthly; ask us for the latest numbers for your street.
San Clemente was founded in the 1920s as a 'Spanish Village by the Sea,' and its white stucco and red tile roofs still define the town. Avenida Del Mar runs downhill to the pier, and to the south is Trestles, one of the best-known surf breaks in the world. It's a true surf town with a strong community feel.
Buyers love the walkability near downtown and the newer master-planned neighborhoods inland, like Talega. We help clients weigh ocean views against yard space, and coastal charm against newer construction, so they can choose with confidence.
Who it's for: Surfers, families and anyone who wants a real beach-town lifestyle with good schools and a walkable downtown, a bit farther from the bustle of central Orange County.
San Clemente neighborhoods.
Downtown and the Pier Bowl
Walkable streets near Avenida Del Mar and the pier, with cottages and condos.
Cyprus Shore
A gated oceanfront community near Trestles with private beach access.
Southwest San Clemente
Spanish-style homes and ocean views on the streets near T-Street and Calafia.
Talega
A master-planned community with a golf course, newer homes and community pools.
Forster Ranch
Hillside family neighborhoods with parks and ocean views.
Shorecliffs
Homes around Shorecliffs Golf Course on the north side of town.
Why people love it.
- San Clemente Pier and the beach trail that runs along the coast
- Trestles and San Onofre State Beach for surfing
- Avenida Del Mar for walkable dining and shopping
- Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
- Talega and Shorecliffs golf courses
- Metrolink and Amtrak stops at the pier and North Beach
Where locals go.
- San Clemente Pier. The town's centerpiece for sunset walks and surf checks.
- Trestles (San Onofre State Beach). A world-famous surf break reached by a short trail.
- Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. The town founder's 1920s estate, now gardens and cultural events.
- Avenida Del Mar. San Clemente's main street, lined with cafes, shops and restaurants.
- Nick's San Clemente. A lively Avenida Del Mar restaurant for brunch and dinner.
Trails and surf.
Hiking
- Beach Trail. 2.3 miles along the sand and the tracks, from North Beach to Calafia.
- Rancho San Clemente Ridgeline. Hilltop trail with ocean views above town.
Surf
- Trestles. Lowers, Uppers and Church: one of the best waves in the world.
- T-Street. San Clemente's classic in-town reef and beach break.
A perfect day in San Clemente.
Surf check at T-Street at first light, then coffee at Bear Coast. Walk the beach trail from North Beach to the pier and down to Calafia. Brunch at Nick's. Afternoon: Trestles for the surfers, or the Casa Romantica gardens and the Spanish Village by the Sea architecture tour downtown. Sunset from the pier, dinner at Vine, and a pint at Pizza Port.
Where we send clients to eat.
Nick's San Clemente
The Avenida Del Mar anchor; brunch on the patio and the best bar scene in town.
Pizza Port San Clemente
Surf-town pizza and house-brewed beer; loud, family-friendly, perfect after the beach.
The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar
Sitting on the pier itself; order the fish and chips and watch the surf under your feet.
Bear Coast Coffee
The Avenida coffee shop where the morning surf report gets discussed.
South of Nick's
Nick's Mexican sibling; the tableside guacamole and margaritas on the patio.
Vine Restaurant & Bar
Small, candlelit, chef-driven; the special-occasion table on Del Mar.
Brennan's running list. Menus and hours change, so check before you go.
What you'll find.
Spanish-style cottages near downtown, ocean-view homes in Southwest San Clemente, gated oceanfront in Cyprus Shore and newer master-planned homes in Talega and Forster Ranch. Rough tiers: condos from about $700K to $1.3M; single-family homes from about $1.5M to $3M; ocean-view and oceanfront homes from about $3M to $10M+.
Price ranges are rough guides. Ask us for current comps.
Public & private.
| San Clemente High School | Capistrano Unified School District |
| Shorecliffs Middle School | Capistrano Unified School District |
| Bernice Ayer Middle School | Capistrano Unified School District |
Capistrano Unified School District
Source: Niche, 2027 Best School Districts in California, checked November 2026. Rankings change yearly.
Always confirm school boundaries for a specific address with the district.
The rail line runs right along San Clemente's coast. If you're looking near the beach, visit at different times of day to hear the trains, and follow the status of slope-stabilization work along the tracks, which has caused service and beach-trail closures in recent years.
Read the Buyer's GuideOriginal Spanish Colonial details like tile roofs, arched windows and stucco are what buyers want here. Highlight them rather than covering them up, and note any work done to respect the city's historic and architectural guidelines.
Get a home valuationRecent San Clemente deals.
San Clemente questions.
What is the median home price in San Clemente?
Redfin reported a median sale price of about $2.0M for coastal ZIP 92672 in July 2026, and about $1.73M for inland ZIP 92673 in August 2026.
What school district serves San Clemente?
Capistrano Unified School District serves San Clemente.
Where is Trestles?
Trestles is at the south end of San Clemente in San Onofre State Beach, reached by a short trail from the end of Cristianitos Road.
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